Farmers are at the front line of disease identification, a role that’s not always recognized. Why it matters: Infectious diseases pose a risk to animal and human health, farm production and have trade implications. “I think this year has shown us why we pay attention to infectious diseases,” said Dr. Scott Weese, professor at Ontario […] Read more
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Early reporting and biosafety protocols needed for disease control
Farmers are generally the first to notice emerging infectious diseases and viruses
AGRIS Co-operative announces patronage dividend
AGRIS Co-operative has announced a patronage dividend of $1.5 million to be returned to its farmer-owners and investors. Total enterprise revenues in 2020 for AGRIS Co-operative were more than $259 million, with $2.4 million added to retained earnings to support its operations. Patronage rebates will be issued as 33 per cent cash and 67 per […] Read more
Byrne elected to chair GFO board
Essex farmer has been a board member for six years
Grain Farmers of Ontario has elected Brendan Byrne as its new chair of the board of directors. Byrne is the District Director for District 1 (Essex) and has served on the Board since 2015. He farms with his father and family in Essex County. Why it matters: Grain Farmers of Ontario is the largest farmer […] Read more
A fertilizer revolution is on the horizon
IBM says it will produce a breakthrough within five years that will greatly lower the energy needed to make nitrogen
As fledgling technology goes, quantum computing sounds as science fiction as it gets. But if IBM fulfills a bold promise it made in September, crop producers will see the fruits of this technology within five years. By using quantum computing and artificial intelligence to speed up the process, IBM researchers are confident they can revolutionize […] Read more
Startups compete for Canadian Thrive challenge
Seafood traceability software takes top spot
A seafood traceability company took top spot in a recent challenge organized by Thrive, a Silicon Valley agricultural technology investor. Nine Canadian agriculture and food startups competed as finalists, with British Columbia seafood traceability company ThisFish taking the top spot. Why it matters: As the agriculture and food sectors shift towards digitization and precision tools, […] Read more
Food safety, surveillance focus of new CFIA funding
New trade agreements drive need to monitor imports, help with exports
Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency plans to spend $162.6 million over the next five years to improve services. Why it matters: CFIA plans to increase its surveillance and oversight programs so it can better respond when new food pathogens, invasive species or other diseases are identified. According to the federal government, the […] Read more
Genetic technologies rooted and ready to sprout
How RNAi and gene editing could impact farms
Biotechnology advancements are promising to reshape agriculture as the full potential of tools such as RNAi and gene editing gain acceptance. The full potential of mRNA to speed up vaccine development leapt to the forefront during the fight to contain the pandemic, but it’s biotechnological cousin RNAi has been quietly gaining momentum in food and […] Read more
Canada, Indonesia explore trade deal
Broader Southeast Asian pact could have potential
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada is exploring a potential trade pact with Indonesia as it continues to seek out deals in the Asia-Pacific region. International Trade Minister Mary Ng made the announcement Jan. 11. Why it matters: Asian-Pacific nations make up one of the largest potential growth markets for Canadian agricultural commodities, especially given the increased […] Read more
Trucks roll forward into the digital age
New regulations, but also drive for data create new options for trucks
As new federal driving-log policies for commercial vehicles are poised to take effect in June, some say there is an opportunity for digital monitoring tools to be expanded to the rest of the truck. Why it matters: Rigorous, readily accessible digital records can be more efficient and reliable than paper records. They can also be […] Read more
Editorial: A willingness to be better
There’s value in the move by farm groups to include diversity and inclusion as parts of their driving principles. There was significant online debate about Beef Farmers of Ontario’s new diversity and inclusion statement. Beef Farmers of Ontario lists seven points in its commitment to diversity, but this paragraph in its statement on the subject […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
